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Canadians & the Common Good: Building a Civic Nation through Civic Engagement
Download the full report [ pdf ]
Download the Executive Summary [ pdf ]
Download the participant bios [ pdf ]
A special thanks to our project sponsors [ pdf ]
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FROM CANADIANS & THE COMMON GOOD:
Good things happen when people engage with others. This report takes this simple message and
applies it to the complex case study of Canadian civic life. It argues that the process of civic
engagement – defined as interacting more often and more meaningfully with others in respect of
civic issues – will help to build a stronger and more unified civic nation.
For Canada’s individuals, civic engagement can enrich, empower, and foster a sense of belonging.
For Canada’s communities, civic engagement can promote innovation, democracy, inclusiveness,
and unity. Striving for these goals is essential if Canada wishes to reverse the trend of long-term
detachment that too many Canadians are increasingly feeling toward their institutions, compatriots,
and country.
We proposed twenty policy recommendations along five themes:
- Mind the gaps: develop understanding of a shared civic identity – clarify
the ties that bind us, hold coming-of-age ceremonies for eighteen-year-olds, promote inter- and
intra-regional encounters, reassess the intersection of religion and education, challenge the status
quo on exclusion, and reach out through families and peers.
- Let the sunshine in: make political involvement more accesible to all
– focus on increasing informed voter turnout, stimulate public interest in political decisionmaking
processes, improve the way that political parties nominate election candidates, teach the
skills of dissent and activism, and increase the use of online technology in the election process.
- Build a pin factory: help non-profits do what they do best – provide more
favourable income tax treatment of charitable donations, give stronger incentives for employers
to contribute to communities, make core funding for non-profits more available, professionalize
volunteer management practices in non-profits, and increase the teaching and research of nonprofit
studies.
- Put the public into public space: improve the stewardship of common areas
– turn civic facilities into true hubs of their communities, and establish public space users’
committees on a highly localized basis.
- Think globally, act globally: extend civic engagement beyond Canada’s
borders – look to other countries for inspiration, and put Canada forward as an inspiration to
other countries.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:
“Canadians & the Common Good is an impressive accomplishment. Wide-ranging in its
sources and implications, it makes a coherent case in favour of a liberal, secular country
populated by an active citizenry and global in outlook. Policymakers intent on cutting the
little support that there is for culture – and engagement generally – should read this report.”
Randall Hansen, Canada Research Chair in Immigration & Governance, Department of Political Science,
University of Toronto
“The authors don’t pull any punches in identifying what ails and threatens our civic health
– but they also present a compelling vision for a more connected and unified Canada that
reflects the perspectives and passion of young adults. It succeeds in speaking to a broad
audience, spanning young people exploring what it means to be an active citizen, to policymakers,
educators, parents, community and business leaders and politicians. Bravo to
Canada25 for demonstrating its commitment to building a more engaged democratic society
in Canada and abroad.”
Mary Pat MacKinnon, Director, Public Involvement Network, Canadian Policy Research Networks
“Few organizations have the interest, capability, and dedication to pull something like this
together with the commitment and creativity of young citizens from across our country. Nice
job, Canada25. It’s refreshing to see ideas come from young people themselves with passion
and substance. Policy people: read this.”
Taylor Gunn, Chief Electoral Officer, Student Vote
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